Folding step-ladder.



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L. 0. GARRAWAY.

FOLDING SEEP LADDER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1910.

988,086; Patented Mar. 28, 19 11.-

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' L. O. .GARRAWAY.

FOLDING STEP LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED 111.11 a, 1910. 1

988,086. Patented Mar. 28, 1911.

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i9 f N Lee 0. Garrawdy LEE 0. GARRAWAY, 0F MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

FOLDING STEP-LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 28, 1911.

Application filed May 3, 1910. Serial No. 559,101.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, LEE 0. GARRAWAY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Step- Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding step ladders, and it has for an object to provide an article of this character wherein the steps are formed of hingedly connected sections, the side members of the ladder being operatively connected with each other whereby they may be folded on each other and to positions to entirely house the steps when the latter are in their folded positions.

In the drawings, forming a portion of this specification and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of my improved ladder looking toward the front thereof. Fig. 2 is a similar view looking in an opposite direction. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the ladder showing the same in its folded position. Fig. 4 is a detail vertical section through the ladder. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the ladder in its folded position. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a slightly modified form of ladder, parts being broken away to clearly illustrate the invention. Fig. 8 is an end view showing the ladder folded, parts being shown in section. Fig. 9 is a detail section taken on the line 99 of Fig.7.

l/Vith particular reference to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive of the drawings, it will be seen that my improved ladder consists of companion side members 1 and 2 each being of channel form and of substantially U-shape in transverse section. The steps of the ladder consist of hingedly connected sections 3 and 4:, each section being pivotally supported by a pin 5. The step sections are formed at their rear edges at points adjacent their outer extremities with ears 6 which are apertured to receive the pins 5, and as illustrated, the said step sections are formed on their forward edges adjacent to their outer extremities with ears 7 in which are formed elongated slots 8 for receiving the pins and to accommodate folding of the said sections on each other into positions where they will be entirely housed between the side flanges of the channel members 1 and 2. The said I channel members 1 and 2 are formed to provide slots 9 which are designed to receive the ears 7 when the ladder sections are in their folded positions. The members 1 and 2 are provided with stops 10 which are designed to engage the step sections as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings so as to hold the said sections in a plane with each other when the ladder is in a set-up position.

The member 1 is formed at its forward edge to provide an elongated slot 11 and at the rear the said member is formed to provide an aperture 12. The aperture 12 receives the rear extremity of a pin 13, the forward extremity of the said pin being extended through the slot 11. A combined step and lock-forming member 14 is operatively connected at one of its ends with the pin 13, and as illustrated, the opposite end of the said member is formed to provide a flange 15 which is slotted, as shown at 16, to be engaged with the bolt 17 on the member 2, the said bolt being provided with a clamping nut 18 which may be engaged with the flange portion of the member 14 when 1 and 2 of the drawings.

A support 19 is provided for the ladder and it consists of companion angle members 20 which are pivoted at their upper ends to the members 1 and 2. Cross braces 21 are pivoted at their lower ends to the members 20 and at their upper ends they are slidably engaged with bolts 22 which extend from the said members, the said braces being formed to provide elongated slots 23 for receiving the bolts. The bolts are provided with suitable clamping nuts 24 which are designed to engage the braces 22 to hold them in their adjusted positions and against accidental pivotal movement. The members 20 of the support are formed at their upper ends to provide stop shoulders 25 which are designed to engage the members 1 and 2 so as to limit the pivotal movement in one direction of the support.

Upon reference to Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings it will be seen that when the ladder is init-s folded position the side members are disposed directly opposite each other and that the edge portions of the side flanges of the members bear directly against each other so as to entirely house the steps. WVhen the members 1 and 2 are in the folded positions just described the members 20 of the support the ladder is in the positions shown in Figs.

are folded to lie directly against the members and in parallel relation thereto. It will of course be understood that when itis desired to fold the ladder the clamping nuts 24 are adjusted so as to be released from the brace members 21 to allow them to move on their pivots. After the laddernas been tolded the said nuts 2% can be again moved into clamping engagement with the brace members so as to hold them against pivotal movement and to hold the con'ibined elements of the structure in positions to present a very compact or small package. The combined. step and lock-iorniing member is formed to provide a longitudinal flange 26 which is slotted as shown at 27 to receive one of the clamping bolts when the ladder is folded in the position shown in Fig. 3.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive, companion paralle channel members 28 which are substantially U-torm in transverse section are employed. The step sections are hingedly connected with each other as shown at 30 and at their outer ends they are hii'igedly connected with the members 28 as shown at 31. The step sections are termed to proi'ide he companion abutting faces which are adapted to engage each other when the sections are tolded to lie in a plane with each other as shown in Fig. 7. T he outer faces of the sections are adapted to bear a ainst the s'des ot' the mem bers 28. By cons ructing the said sections as just described they will be strong and durable and will be effectively held in their operative positions when the ladder is set up. One of the members 28 is provided with a pivotally mounted combined step and locktorming member The said member hav ing a tlanged portion 3% which is designed to be engaged with a clamping bolt 35.

The construction of the ladder described in the modified form of my invention is similar to that described in the preferred term in that the members 28 are adapted to be moved against each other so as to entirely house the steps when the ladder is in its closed position.

1 claim:

1. In a step ladder, the combination with parallel members having steps of sectional form operatively connected with the said parallel members to permit the said members to be folded against each other and to be extended or unfolded, and an upper step- "forming member carried by one of the parallel members and operatively connecting the opposite parallel members to hold them in their adjusted positions when the said parall l members are extended or unfolded, and a toldable support having pivotal connections with the said parallel members and designed for engagement with the upper step-forming member to hold the ladder in folded positions.

A step ladder comprising side members, steps consisting of sections hinged at their outer ends to the side men'ibers, the sections of each step being hinged together at their inner ends, the hinges being adapted to be broken upwardly to fold the ladder, a one piece step hinged at one of its ends to one of the side members, and means for detachably securing the other end of the said one piece step to the opposite side member so as to hold the side members extended and to hold the sectional steps against breaking upwardly.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEE 0. GARRAlVAY.

l vitnesses S. E. HARDING, S. D. HARDING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, ll). (3. 

